An aqueous ink composition for ink-jet recording comprising an aqueous solution of a water-soluble dye of formula (I) and a humectant dissolved in water: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, halogen, a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represent a hydroxyl group, halogen, an alkoxy group, an unsubstituted or substituted amino group; X represents --O--, --CH.sub.2 --, --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --S--, --SO.sub.2 -- or --; Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 each represent an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted naphthyl group; M represents hydrogen ion, an alkali metal cation, amine cation or an ammonium ion; and n is an integer of 1, 2 or 3.