A virtual image display device is provided which displays a
two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by
a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an
optical waveguide (13) to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel
pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first
reflection volume hologram grating (14) to diffract and reflect the
parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside
and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the
condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a
second reflection volume hologram grating (15) to project the parallel
pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical
waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and
reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total
reflection inside the optical waveguide. Some of the parallel pencil
groups guided through the optical waveguide being totally reflected
different numbers of times for a period from external incidence upon the
optical waveguide until outgoing from the optical waveguide.