The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a π-conjugated compound exhibiting excellent light emission characteristics; an organic electroluminescent element using same; a display device; and an illumination device. Accordingly, this organic electroluminescent element is provided with: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and at least one organic layer which is sandwiched between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and which includes a light emission layer. The light emission layer includes a π-conjugated compound having a structure represented by any of general formulae (1)-(3)




(in general formulae (1)-(3), at least one among R1-R4, R5-R8, and R9-R16 represents a group represented by general formula (4)





(in general formula (4): Ar1 and Ar2 represent substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups; L1 represents a single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group; and # represents a bond to general formulae (1)-(3))).