An optical element includes a transmission diffraction portion, which reflective portions and transmissive portions. The reflective portions are arranged at equal intervals along a given axis. Each reflective portion reflects light included in the visible light. The light reflected by the reflective portions forms a reflection image. The transmissive portions transmit the visible light. Each transmissive portion is sandwiched by two corresponding reflective portions that are adjacent to each other along the given axis. At least part of each reflective portion forms the reflection image by rendering a reflection angle of the light reflected by the reflective portions different from an angle of light incident on the reflective portions. The transmission diffraction portion forms diffracted images having different colors with diffracted light that is produced by diffracting light transmitted through the transmissive portions in a predetermined direction.