Abstract: A white LED lighting device and a light source for white LED lighting that enable an energy-saving, maintenance-free operation while ensuring ample illuminance. Structure of a light source for white LED lighting, constituted by: inserting and holding a plurality of white LED elements in holding holes in a reflective plate, said plate being constituted by providing a required number of said holding holes, in a matrix-like array of prescribed pitch, in a plate of shape corresponding to the illuminating surface of a lamp body; fixing said plurality of white LED elements at locations 2 to 4 mm behind their respective electrode portions; attaching the positive and negative terminals of the white LED elements to a base plate for the LED elements, said base plate being disposed parallel to and directly behind the reflective plate; and forming, at the positive and negative terminals, a series-parallel electrical network suitable for the applied voltage.