Because some Schiff bases have some special biological activities, the use of Schiff bases as ligands to form complexes with metal ions can show good biological activities. Amino acids, Schiff bases and their corresponding ligands have been reported to have unique antibacterial, bactericidal, anti-tumor, antiviral and detoxification effects. Therefore, complexes formed by rare earth metals and Schiff base ligands have attracted much attention due to their diverse structures. In this paper, the luminescence mechanism of rare earth polymers and the synthesis and fluorescence properties of rare earth Schiff base ligand complexes are reviewed. The research progress of Schiff base rare earth near-infrared luminescent complexes in the fields of medicine, antibacterial materials and bioimaging was reviewed. The future application and research of Schiff base were also prospected. Because some Schiff bases have some special biological activities, Schiff bases are used as ligands to form complexes with metal ions, which can show good biological activities. It is reported that amino acids, base acids, Schiff bases and their corresponding ligands have unique effects of antibacterial, bactericidal, anti-tumor, anti-viral and detoxification. Therefore, complexes formed by rare earth metals and Schiff base ligands have attracted people's attention due to their diverse structures and wide applications. In this paper, the luminescence mechanism of rare earth polymers is summarized, and the synthesis and fluorescence properties of mononuclear, binuclear and multinuclear rare earth complexes of Schiff base ligands are reviewed. The research progress of Schiff base rare earth nearinfrared luminescent complexes in medicine, antibacterial materials, bioimaging and other fields was summarized, and their future application and research were prospected.