A reflective color display element having high reflectance, and which is capable of displaying a plurality of colors, is provided. The reflective color display element is constituted by: a lamellate structure that expands and contracts by the application of voltage thereto; and a voltage applying means, for applying voltage to the lamellate structure at both ends in the expansion/contraction direction thereof. The color exhibited by the lamellate structure is varied by adjusting the voltage applied to the lamellate structure, thereby causing the lamellate structure to expand and contract. This causes interference wavelengths of light incident on the lamellate structure, having a component in the expansion/contraction direction, within the lamellate structure to be varied.