A lighting device comprising: a liquid crystal element having an electrode pattern including a first portion and a second portion; a drive circuit connected to the electrode pattern; a polarizer disposed in front of the liquid crystal element and separated from the liquid crystal element in an optical axis direction; an analyzer disposed at a rear of the liquid crystal element, and separated from the liquid crystal element in the optical axis direction, wherein the polarizer and the analyzer constitute crossed Nicol polarizers; a light source configured to supply light to the liquid crystal element within a predetermined incident angle range with respect to the optical axis direction; and a projection optical system configured to project the light transmitted through the liquid crystal element forwardly; wherein the polarizer and/or the analyzer only locally overlap with the liquid crystal element in projection normal to the liquid crystal element, and wherein when the light source is turned on, the drive circuit is configured to: supply a drive signal to the first portion of the electrode pattern which applies or releases voltages in compliance with circumstances, and supply a drive signal to the second portion of the electrode pattern which continuously applies a voltage, wherein the lighting device is configured such that the light passing through the first portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward passes both the polarizer and the analyzer, and such that the light passing through the second portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward includes components which do not pass at least one of the polarizer and the analyzer. a liquid crystal element having an electrode pattern including a first portion and a second portion; a drive circuit connected to the electrode pattern; a polarizer disposed in front of the liquid crystal element and separated from the liquid crystal element in an optical axis direction; an analyzer disposed at a rear of the liquid crystal element, and separated from the liquid crystal element in the optical axis direction, wherein the polarizer and the analyzer constitute crossed Nicol polarizers; a light source configured to supply light to the liquid crystal element within a predetermined incident angle range with respect to the optical axis direction; and a projection optical system configured to project the light transmitted through the liquid crystal element forwardly; wherein the polarizer and/or the analyzer only locally overlap with the liquid crystal element in projection normal to the liquid crystal element, and wherein when the light source is turned on, the drive circuit is configured to: supply a drive signal to the first portion of the electrode pattern which applies or releases voltages in compliance with circumstances, and supply a drive signal to the second portion of the electrode pattern which continuously applies a voltage, wherein the lighting device is configured such that the light passing through the first portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward passes both the polarizer and the analyzer, and such that the light passing through the second portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward includes components which do not pass at least one of the polarizer and the analyzer. supply a drive signal to the first portion of the electrode pattern which applies or releases voltages in compliance with circumstances, and supply a drive signal to the second portion of the electrode pattern which continuously applies a voltage, wherein the lighting device is configured such that the light passing through the first portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward passes both the polarizer and the analyzer, and such that the light passing through the second portion of the electrode pattern and projecting forward includes components which do not pass at least one of the polarizer and the analyzer.