To provide an ink set for ink jet recording which can give a single- color or mixed-color area having high color development, clarity and excellent light resistance.

This set essentially consists of a cyan ink containing a copper phthalocyanine dye and a magenta ink containing a colorant and a light resistance improver having a xanthene structure. The amount of the light resistance improver added is such that the ratio of the light resistance improver to the colorant in the ink is in the range of 0.03-0.5 by weight. The light resistance improver is at least one member selected among water-soluble magenta dyes C.I. Acid Red 50, 51, 52, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98, and 289, C.I Acid Violet 9 and 30, etc.