This optical element is provided with a transmissive diffraction section that has both a plurality of reflective sections and a plurality of transmissive sections. The reflective sections are lined up at equal intervals in a given direction, and each reflective section reflects light that falls within the visible spectrum. The light reflected by the reflective sections forms a reflected image. The transmissive sections transmit visible light, and each transmissive section is sandwiched between two reflective sections that are adjacent in the aforementioned direction. At least some of the reflective sections form a reflected image with the angle of reflection of the light reflected by said reflective sections being different from the angle of light incident upon said reflective sections. Via diffracted light consisting of the light transmitted by the transmissive sections diffracted in a prescribed direction, the transmissive diffraction section forms a plurality of diffracted images of different colors.
