A display device is provided which is able to effect high visibility
display utilizing external light, and which is able to effect reflective
display with a combination of various textures and color. The display
device includes a first polarized-light separating member for transmitting
a linearly polarized light component polarized in a first direction, a
transmitted light polarization axis changing device capable of selecting
states of changing and not changing a transmitted light polarization axis,
a second polarized-light separating member for transmitting a linearly
polarized light component in a polarized second direction and for
mirror-reflecting a linearly polarized light perpendicular to the linearly
polarized light component, and a reflecting element disposed in that
order. Coloring layers or light-diffusing layers are formed on the surface
or the back of the second polarized-light separating member.