Disclosed are a traffic signal recognition method, a traffic signal indication apparatus (100), and a terminal (200), which are applied to the field of intelligent driving. In addition to an existing visible light signal indication system in a traffic light pattern, the traffic signal indication apparatus (100) adds a near infrared light source (110, S). The vehicle-mounted terminal (200) determines, based on a collected near infrared light signal, traffic operation information indicated by the traffic signal indication apparatus (100). The near infrared light signal has stronger penetration force than a visible light signal. Therefore, traffic signal recognition accuracy can be improved.