A liquid crystal display element is disclosed for displaying an image. The liquid crystal display element comprises a liquid crystal display layer in which voltages are applied to a transmissive display unit and a reflective display unit, defined in one pixel, independently of each other, and a light source for irradiating the liquid crystal display layer with light from the back, and a reflection control element disposed between the liquid crystal display layer and light source. The liquid crystal display element is switched between a reflective state and a transmissive state in accordance with a voltage applied to the reflection control element. The liquid crystal display element is switched among a transmissive display mode, a combined reflective/transmissive display mode, and a reflective display mode, by utilizing the transmissive display unit and reflective display unit to display an image independently of each other.