The polarizing film of the present invention contains the azo compound represented by the following general formula (I).
In the general formula (I), Q represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, X represents a cationic group, a nitro group, a cyano group, or a hydroxyl group, and M represents a counter ion.
本发明的偏光膜包含以下一般式(I)所表示的偶氮化合物。在一般式(I)中,Q代表取代或未取代的芳基基团,X代表阳离子基团,硝基基团,
氰基团或羟基团,M代表反离子。