Provided is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) that can be used as an illumination light source. The CCFL includes cold cathode electrodes disposed at both ends of a glass tube, a fluorescent layer being formed on an inner surface of the glass tube. Each of the cold cathode electrodes includes: a base metal connected to front ends of lead wires for connection with a power source; a helical wire coil formed by helically winding a tungsten or tungsten-alloy wire around a cup shape, the helical wire coil being connected to the base metal in a manner such that the helical wire coil is erected in a length direction of the glass tube; and an emitter-coated coil inserted in the helical wire coil and coated with an emitter for inducing emission of electrons.