A metal halide lamp of the present invention has an arc tube formed of ceramic and a pair of opposing electrodes. This lamp includes a Pr (praseodymium) halide, a Na (sodium) halide, and a Ca (calcium) halide enclosed within the arc tube. The Pr halide content Hp [mol], the Na halide content Hn [mol], and the Ca halide content Hc [mol] satisfy the relationships of 0.4.ltoreq.Hc/Hp.ltoreq.15.0 and 3.0.ltoreq.Hn/Hp.ltoreq.25.0.