Abstract: In a luminous display method according to a simple matrix drive system and its driving method in which luminous elements are connected at the intersections of a plurality of anode lines and a plurality of cathode lines which are arranged in matrix form, the cathode lines or the anode lines are employed as scanning lines, while the others are employed as drive lines, and while the scanning lines are scanned with a predetermined period, in synchronization with the scanning operation drive sources are connected to desired drive lines thereby to cause luminous elements to emit lights which are connected at the intersections of the scanning lines and the drive lines; in which, during a period of time before, after the scanning of an optional scanning line is accomplished, the scanning is switched over to the scanning of the next scanning line, an offset voltage is applied to charge the luminous elements.