Spiral Dynamics Levels of Development

Notice the difference in the presentation of the differences in SD colors. 

• Turquoise – womb of the ocean; head with heart
• Yellow – sunlight; heart with head; survival of whole planet
• Green – environment; green with envy
• Orange – rust, industrial 
• Blue – police, rules, "blue bloods"
• Red – power; "he saw red!"
• Purple – crystals, magic 
• Beige – sand, foundation

Listed below from the highest level down to lowest level. Note, Integral levels go higher than Spiral Dynamics levels. The eight-stage spiral of development from “The Never-Ending Upward Quest,” interview with Don Beck, 2002 –

Second Tier “Being” value MEMES

TURQUOISE Holistic MEME – starting 30 years ago

Basic theme: Experience the wholeness of existence through mind and spirit

• The world is a single, dynamic organism with its own collective mind
• Self is both distinct and a blended part of a larger, compassionate whole
  
• Everything connects to everything else in ecological alignments
  
• Energy and information permeate the Earth’s total environment
  
• Holistic, intuitive thinking and cooperative actions are to be expected
  

YELLOW Integrative MEME – starting 50 years ago

Basic theme: Live fully and responsibly as what you are and learn to become

• Life is a kaleidoscope of natural hierarchies, systems and forms
• The magnificence of existence is valued over material possessions
  
• Flexible, spontaneity, and functionality have the highest priority
  
• Differences can be integrated into interdependent, natural flows
  
• Understands that chaos and change are natural
• 
  

First Tier “Subsistence” value MEMES

GREEN Communitarian/Egalitarian MEME – starting 150 years ago

Basic theme: Seek peace within the inner self and explore, with others, the caring dimensions of community

• The human spirit must be freed from greed, dogma, and divisiveness
• Feelings, sensitivity, and caring superseded cold rationality
  
• Spreads the Earth’s resources and opportunities equally among all
  
• Reaches decisions through reconciliation and consensus processes
  
• Refreshes spirituality, brings harmony, and enriches human development
  

ORANGE Achievist/Strategic MEME – starting 300 years ago

Basic theme: Act in your own self-interest by playing the game to win

• Change and advancement are inherent within the scheme of things
• Progresses by learning nature’s secrets and seeking out best solutions
  
• Manipulates Earth’s resources to create and spread the abundant good life
  
• Optimistic, risk-taking, and self-reliant people deserve success
  
• Societies prosper through strategy, technology and competitiveness
  

BLUE Purposeful/Authoritarian MEME – starting 5,000 year ago

Basic theme: Life has meaning, direction, and purpose with predetermined outcomes

• One sacrifices self to the transcendent Cause, Truth, or righteous Pathway
• The Order enforces a code of conduct based on eternal, absolute principles
  
• Righteous living produces stability now and guarantees future reward
  
• Impulsivity is controlled through guilt; everybody has their proper place
  
• ​Laws, regulations, and discipline build character and moral fiber
  

Red Impulsive/Egocentric MEME – starting 10,000 years ago

Basic theme: Be what you are and do what you want, regardless

• The world is a jungle full of threats and predators
• Breaks free from any domination or constraint to please self as self desires
  
• Stands tall, expects attention, demands respect, and calls the shots
  
• Enjoys self to the fullest right now without guilt or remorse
  
• Conquers, out-foxes, and dominates other aggressive characters
  

Purple Magical/Animistic MEME – starting 50,000 years ago

Basic theme: Keep the spirits happy and the tribe’s nest warm and safe

• Obeys the desires of the spirit being and mystical signs
• Shows allegiance to chief, elders, ancestors, and the clan
  
• Individual subsumed in group
  
• Preserves sacred objects, places, events and memories
  
• Observes rites of passage, seasonal cycles and tribal customs
  

Beige Instinctive/Survivalistic MEME – starting 100,000 years ago

Basic theme: Do what you must just to stay alive

• Uses instincts and habits to survive & “live off the land”
• Distinct self is barely awakened or sustained
  
• Food, water, warmth, sex and safety have priority
  
• Forms into survival bands to perpetuate life