A Taxonomy of Moving Average Interactions – The Essential Nature and Application of Technical Indicators as Market State Evaluation Systems

Technical analysis in speculative markets has long suffered two symmetrical misunderstandings: blind devotees treat it as a prophetic tool, while fierce detractors dismiss it as pseudoscience. Both positions share a fundamental misidentification of the core function of technical analysis. This essay demonstrates that the essential nature of technical indicators is that of a complete classification tool for market states. Using the moving average system as the primary example, it establishes a three-tier taxonomy of moving average interactions — skim, touch, and intertwine — derives their structural connections to trend continuation and trend reversal, and provides a systematic observational framework for the micro-level analytical work that follows. (Read More)