Liquid crystal display device

A liquid crystal display device comprising:

• a liquid crystal display medium including a pair of first and second polarizing plates;
• and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second polarizing plates, the second polarizing plate being provided on a display surface side;
• polarization selective reflection means, provided on a side of the first polarizing plate so as to face the liquid crystal display medium, for transmitting a light component in a first polarization status of surrounding light incident on a first surface of the polarization selective reflection means opposite to a second surface of the polarization selective reflection means on a side of the liquid crystal display medium, and for reflecting a light component in a second polarization status of the surrounding light incident on the first surface, the second polarization status being different from the first polarization status;
• light irradiating means, provided between the polarization selective reflection means and the liquid crystal display medium, for irradiating the liquid crystal display medium with light from a light source;
• and
• polarization control means, provided between the polarization selective reflection means and the light irradiating means, for controlling a polarization status of light traveling from the polarization selective reflection means towards the liquid crystal display medium;
• and
• an enclosure which covers an outer surface of the liquid crystal display device, the enclosure including (i) a display window on a surface thereof facing to the liquid crystal display medium and (ii) a light inlet window on a surface thereof facing to the polarization selective reflection means of the enclosure.