A hollow columnar shock absorbing member (1) has an axis (O), a plurality of rectangular walls (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) extending parallel to axis (O), and a polygonal cross-section perpendicular to axis (O), the shock absorbing member extending in the direction of axis (O) and absorbing externally-applied impact energy while buckling in the direction of axis (O). Shock absorbing member (1) is provided with at least two flanges (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) protruding from at least two edges (1e, 1f, 1g, 1h) formed by at least two sets of neighboring walls among a plurality of walls, and the at least two flanges are arranged so that the directions of protrusion of the flanges from the edges are directed to the same direction with respect to a circumferential direction.