Provided is to a display element capable of displaying an image on both sides thereof. In the display element, display operation is not constantly performed on both sides, and the display operation is, as necessary, switched to displaying only on one side without lowering the efficiency of a backlight or other light emitting bodies. The structure is made such that a planar light emitting body capable of emitting light in directions of both faces is sandwiched between two light control elements capable of electrically switching, from outside, between a light reflection state and a light transmission state. In such a structure, the faces of the light control elements serving as light reflection surfaces in the light reflection state face the planar light emitting body, and the planar light emitting body and the light control elements are further sandwiched between two liquid crystal elements.