El element and illumination comprising it

An EL element includes a light-transmitting substrate, a light-transmitting electrode layer over a first surface of the substrate, a luminescent layer over the light-transmitting electrode layer, a back electrode layer over the luminescent layer, and a waterproof insulating layer covering the light-transmitting electrode layer, the luminescent layer, and the back electrode layer. The EL element and a lighting unit have excellent resistance against water. The light-transmitting electrode layer, the luminescent layer, and the back electrode layer end before an outer periphery of the substrate as well as before an end face of the substrate at each hole or notch in the substrate. This arrangement provides the EL element and the lighting unit with the excellent resistance against water.