Solid complexes of lanthanide nitrates, picrates and perchlorates with a novel multipodal ligand, 1,2,4,5-tetramethyl-3,6-bis{N,N-bis[((2'-benzylaminoformyl)phenoxyl)ethyl]-aminomethyl}-benzene (L) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and molar conductivity measurements. At the same time, the luminescent properties of the Eu and Tb complexes in solid state were investigated. Under the excitation of UV light, these complexes exhibited characteristic emission of central metal ions. The lowest triplet state energy level T(1) of this ligand matches better to the lowest resonance energy level of Tb(III) than to Eu(III) ion. The influence of the counter anion on the luminescent intensity was also discussed.