A phosphor and a light emitting device containing the phosphor are provided. According to an embodiment, the phosphor is expressed in a chemical formula of LxMyCz1Nz2:Aa where L is at least one of an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Ti, Ge, and Sn; M is at least one of B, Si, P, S, F, Cl, I, and Se; and A is at least one of an alkaline rare earth metal and the transition metal, and where 0