A phosphor is provided. The phosphor includes a composition represented by the formula: M.sup.1O.sub.2.aM.sup.2O.bM.sup.3X.sub.2:M.sup.4,where M.sup.1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, and Sn; M.sup.2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; M.sup.3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; X is at least one halogen element; M.sup.4 is at least one element essentially including Eu.sup.2+ selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements and Mn; a is in the range of 0.1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.1.3; and b is in the range of 0.1.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.0.25.