PURPOSE: To surely read two-dimensional symbol information by uniformly illuminating a two-dimensional symbol information holding body.

CONSTITUTION: This device is provided with a light source 26 which illuminates the two-dimensional symbol information holding body, a turning-back mirror which reflects reflected light from the two-dimensional symbol information holding body due to illumination of this light source, an area sensor which receives reflected light from this turning-back mirror, an image forming element which forms the image of reflected light from the turning-back mirror on the light reception face of the area sensor, and a case 11 where the turning-back mirror, the area sensor, and the image forming element are stored, the light source 26 is arranged in the vicinity of the read hole and is stored are provided. First to third light emitting diodes 29, 29, 31, 31, 32, and 32 different in luminance characteristics are arranged to constitute the light source 26.