A pair of substrates is disposed in parallel at a gap distance therebetween. Liquid crystal material containing liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy is filled in between the substrates. The liquid crystal molecules are homeotropically aligned. On the opposing surface of one of the substrates, pixel electrodes are disposed in a matrix form and data bus lines and gate bus lines are disposed. The gate bus line passes an inner area of each pixel electrode. Switching elements are formed on the opposing surface of the substrate. Each switching element is controlled by the gate bus line at another row. Protrusions are formed on the opposing surface of one of the substrates. The protrusions divide an area of the pixel electrode into a plurality of areas and each is bent on the gate bus line. A domain border regulating unit is formed on the opposing surface of the other of the substrates. The protrusions and domain border regulating unit define the borders of each domain.