A semiconductor light emitting device having a semiconductor stacking structure bonded onto the support member and having excellent characteristics is provided by a preferable electrode structure.The semiconductor light emitting device comprising; a semiconductor stacking structure having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer of conductivity types different from each other, a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer, wherein one principal surface of the first electrode has a portion that makes contact with the first semiconductor layer so as to establish electrical continuity and an external connection section.