A new rare earth complex was synthesized using salicylaldehyde (SAL) as the first ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) as the second ligand. Elemental, infrared absorption, photoluminescence, and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum analyses were carried out with this new complex. It is shown by the elemental analysis and infrared absorption spectra that the complex is an eight-coordinated compound with the molecular formula Eu(SAL) 3 Phen. In addition, the intramolecular energy transfer process is discussed and the intramolecular energy transfer model has been set up. The luminescence of Eu(SAL) 3 Phen was obtained by the two ligands which transferred the energy to the resonance energy level of the central ion. The results show that the maximum light-emitting wavelength is 615 nm, the full width at half maximum is 10.9 nm, the CIE coordinates are X  = 0.6724, Y  = 0.3261, and the optimum excitation wavelength is 434 nm.