Dyes for anisotropic dye films, dye compositions for anisotropic dye films, anisotropic dye films and polarizing elements

An anisotropic dye film having high dichromatic properties is provided. An anisotropic dye film wherein the period d attributable to molecular stacking is at most 3.445 AA, and the column length L thereof is at least 105 AA. The anisotropic dye film preferably has a degree of orientation of the molecular stacking axes of at least 85% and a film thickness of at most 30 m, and is formed by a wet film-forming method. Since it has a molecular alignment suitable to develop a dichroic ratio, it provides high dichromatic properties. A polarizing element having this anisotropic dye film is excellent in heat resistance, light fastness and polarizing performance.