An optical multiplexer includes a polarizer, a receptacle, a rotator disposed between the polarizer and the receptacle to rotate polarization planes of a pair of linearly polarized light beams in a forward direction and a polarization plane of a light beam in an opposite direction by 45 degrees, the forward direction being from the polarizer toward the receptacle, the opposite direction being from the receptacle to the polarizer, and a birefringent prism disposed between the rotator and the receptacle to multiplex the pair of linearly polarized light beams in the forward direction and to split the light beam in the opposite direction into an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray. The rotator and the birefringent prism are fixed to the receptacle.