It is the object of the present invention to provide a polarizing element capable of increasing a contrast ratio in an oblique direction and reducing a color shift in an oblique direction of a liquid crystal display apparatus. A polarizing element according to the present invention includes a polarizer, a negative C plate, a positive A plate, and a positive C plate each arranged on one side of the polarizer. The positive A plate is arranged between the polarizer and the positive C plate such that a slow axis of the positive A plate is substantially perpendicular to an absorption axis of the polarizer. The positive C plate has Rth.sub.PC[590] of -60 nm or less.