A self-dispersible metal complex colorant is represented by formula 1, which has improved storage stability, may embody various colors and has improved fastness, such as light resistance, water resistance and the like: ##STR00001## wherein each of A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 is independently a moiety which includes a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-C.sub.30 alkenylene group having at least one double bond and is conjugated with an azo group; each of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted amino group; M is a polyvalent transition metal; L is a neutral or anionic ligand; T is a mono- or poly-substituted hydrophilic functional group; n is an integer between 1 and 3; and J is a linker. The self-dispersible metal complex colorant may be used in various fields employing colors, such as fibers, foods, drugs, cosmetics, coatings, inks or ceramics.