The interaction between gold nanoparticle and safranine T (ST) has been studied with resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) spectra, absorption and fluorescence spectra. In the pH 5 solution, citrate [(H2L)2-] self-assembles on the surface of positively-charged gold nanoparticle, which results in the [(Au)n(H2L)m]x- complex. In other words, one of carboxylate oxygens in (H2L)2- moves inward and combines with gold nanoparticle. The other carboxylate oxygens moves outward to form a supermolecular complex anion with x negative charges. Then by virtue of electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic force and charge transfer action, the complex anion binds with ST cation to form a new ion-association complex. Here (H2L)2- acts as a bridge. The formation of the complex results in the significant enhancement of RRS intensity, the appearance of new RRS spectrum, the red shift of plasma absorption band of gold nanoparticle as well as the decrease in the absorbance and fluorescence quenching for safranine T. In this work, the interaction between gold nanoparticle and ST on the RRS, absorption and fluorescence spectra has been investigated. The reason why RRS intensity increases greatly and the reaction mechanism have been inquired. The results show that RRS spectra can not only be used to study nanoparticle and reaction product, but also are a sensitive means to characterize and detect nanoparticles.