In the present work, Schiff base ligand N,N-bis(salicylidene)-(3,3′-diaminobenzidine) and its zinc complex were synthesized. The coordination of Schiff base ligand with zinc metal ion seems to occur via N azomethine followed by the deprotonation of OH group. The nuclear magnetic resonance peaks as well as important bands in the Fourier transform infra-red spectra are discussed in relation to the structure of the ligand and complex. The optical properties like absorption and fluorescence were studied to get the idea about the transition among molecular orbitals as well as quantum yield. Colour coordinates of complex fall in the blue region. HOMO-LUMO energy gap was used to determine various parameters. Thermal studies were also performed to determine the thermal stability of the complex in the range from room temperature to 500 °C.