LIGHTING DEVICE

A lighting device includes: a liquid crystal element having electrode pattern including a first portion and a second portion; drive circuit connected to the electrode pattern; polarizer disposed in front of the liquid crystal element and separated from the liquid crystal element in optical axis direction; analyzer disposed at rear of the liquid crystal element, and separated from the liquid crystal element in optical axis direction, wherein the polarizer and the analyzer constitute crossed Nicol polarizers; light source for supplying lights to the liquid crystal element within a predetermined incident angle range; and projection optical system projecting lights transmitted through the liquid crystal element forwardly; wherein the polarizer and the analyzer locally overlap with the liquid crystal element in projection normal to the liquid crystal element, and when the light source is turned on, the drive circuit supplies drive signal to the first portion of the electrode pattern which applies or releases voltages in compliance with circumstances, and supplies drive signal to the second portion of the electrode pattern which continuously applies voltage, lights transmitting through the first portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward transmit both the polarizer and the analyzer, and lights transmitting through the second portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward include components which do not transmit at least one of the polarizer and the analyzer.