Traditional　lidar　techniques　mainly　rely　on　the　backscattering/echo　light　intensity　and　spectrum　as　information　sources.　In　contrast,　polarization　lidar　(P-lidar)　expands　the　dimensions　of　detection　by　utilizing　the　physical　property　of　polarization.　By　incorporating　parameters　such　as　polarization　degree,　polarization　angle,　and　ellipticity,　P-lidar　enhances　the　richness　of　physical　information　obtained　from　target　objects,　providing　advantages　for　subsequent　information　analysis.　Over　the　past　five　decades,　the　application　fields　of　P-lidar　have　rapidly　expanded,　starting　from　its　early　use　in　atmospheric　remote　sensing　to　later　applications　in　oceanic　remote　sensing.　This　review　first　provides　a　brief　introduction　to　the　basic　principles　of　both　polarization　and　P-lidar,　along　with　typical　systems.　It　then　explores　the　applications　of　P-lidar　in　various　remote　sensing　fields,　including　atmospheric,　oceanic,　and　terrestrial　domains.　Additionally,　we　propose　potential　research　directions　based　on　current　cutting-edge　applications,　with　the　aims　of　providing　critical　insights　to　researchers　in　the　fields　of　polarization　and　lidar　and　inspiring　further　exciting　ideas.　©　2023　by　the　authors.