A discrimination medium cannot be easily falsified. Since the visibility of the discrimination medium is unique, the discrimination medium is superior in determination of the authenticity. The discrimination medium is structured such that a cholesteric liquid crystal layer 106 and a multilayer film 103 having plural light transparent films which are laminated and are different from each other in refraction index are laminated. The reflection light reflected by the discrimination medium includes circular polarization lights which are different in polarization direction, and the discrimination medium has unique optical characteristics. A discrimination method using the above unique optical characteristics, an article to be discriminated by the discrimination medium, and a discrimination apparatus using the above unique optical characteristics are provided.