A light emitting element includes a crystal growth substrate formed in a flat shape and that has a translucency, a semiconductor layer that constitutes a light emitting element structure and is formed at a side of a first surface of the crystal growth substrate, irregularities formed on a second surface of the crystal growth substrate, the second surface being an opposite surface of the first surface, and a protective layer that has a translucency and a predetermined hardness and brittleness, and covers the irregularities formed on the second surface of the crystal growth substrate.