Key Takeaways
Difficulty:Intermediate
Reliability:High
Category:advanced
Timeframes:1H, 4H, Daily
Williams Alligator
advancedš 1H, 4H, Daily
Three smoothed moving averages representing Jaw, Teeth, and Lips, showing trend phases.
Formula
Code
Jaw = SMMA(13, 8 bars ahead)
Teeth = SMMA(8, 5 bars ahead)
Lips = SMMA(5, 3 bars ahead)
Detailed Explanation
The Alligator was created by Bill Williams to help identify trends and non-trending periods.
**Components:** - **Jaw (Blue)**: 13-period SMMA, shifted 8 bars - **Teeth (Red)**: 8-period SMMA, shifted 5 bars - **Lips (Green)**: 5-period SMMA, shifted 3 bars
Parameters
Jaw Period
Default: 13
Jaw smoothing
Teeth Period
Default: 8
Teeth smoothing
Lips Period
Default: 5
Lips smoothing
š Bullish Signals
Lips > Teeth > Jaw with upward slopes
š Bearish Signals
Lips < Teeth < Jaw with downward slopes
Python Implementation
Alligator indicator calculation
Python
def smma(series, period):
return series.ewm(alpha=1/period, adjust=False).mean()
df['Jaw'] = smma(df['high'] + df['low'], 13).shift(8) / 2
df['Teeth'] = smma(df['high'] + df['low'], 8).shift(5) / 2
df['Lips'] = smma(df['high'] + df['low'], 5).shift(3) / 2
TradingView Pine Script
JavaScript
//@version=5
indicator("Alligator", overlay=true)
[jaw, teeth, lips] = ta.alligator(hl2, 13, 8, 8, 5, 5, 3)
plot(jaw, "Jaw", color=color.blue)
plot(teeth, "Teeth", color=color.red)
plot(lips, "Lips", color=color.green)
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MT5 MQL5 Code
C++
int alligator_handle = iAlligator(_Symbol, _Period, 13, 8, 8, 5, 5, 3, MODE_SMMA, PRICE_MEDIAN);
double jaw[], teeth[], lips[];
CopyBuffer(alligator_handle, 0, 0, 100, jaw);
CopyBuffer(alligator_handle, 1, 0, 100, teeth);
CopyBuffer(alligator_handle, 2, 0, 100, lips);
Python Libraries
Common Mistakes
āTrading when lines are intertwined
āIgnoring early awakening signals
Confirmation Signals
Fractal signals
Awesome Oscillator
Price action
Best For
Trend identificationBill Williams strategiesRanging vs trending markets
š” Pro Tips
- ā¢Part of Bill Williams trading system
- ā¢Sleeping alligator = don't trade
- ā¢Awakening signals trend beginning
Last updated: December 29, 2024
Educational Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Trading involves significant risk and you may lose your capital. Always consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.