To provide a surge absorbing element with long life, utilizing creeping corona discharge as a trigger means against atmospheric discharge, capable of restraining deterioration of insulation.

An airtight envelope 16 is formed by airtightly sealing openings at both end parts of a case member 12 made of an insulation material by a pair of lid members 14, 14 serving as discharge electrodes, discharge gas is sealed in the airtight envelope 16, and a prescribed discharge gap 22 is formed between discharge electrodes 18, 18 of the lid members 14, 14 disposed inside the airtight envelope 16. Further, a plurality of linear trigger discharge films 28 of which both ends are arranged in opposition so as to separate the lid member 14, 14 serving as the discharge electrodes from minute discharge gaps 26, are formed on inner wall faces 24 of the case member 12, and a film 30 having an insulation property containing alkaline iodide is formed on the surface of the discharge electrodes 18. Since the both ends of the trigger discharge films are arranged so as to have a minute discharge gaps against the lid members serving as the discharge electrodes, the insulation property is not deteriorated unless an electrode material of the discharge electrodes scattered by the discahrge electrode parts being sputtered is adhered on both of the minute discharge gaps arranged at both ends of the trigger discharge films.