396 Hz is the first note of the original Solfeggio scale — the ancient six-tone sequence derived from the medieval hymn "Ut queant laxis," dedicated to John the Baptist. Each syllable of the hymn's first stanza was sung on a successively higher pitch, forming a scale that was used in sacred music for centuries before being largely forgotten.

This frequency corresponds to the syllable "Ut" (later renamed "Do") and is associated with liberation from negative emotional patterns. Sound therapists use it specifically to address guilt, fear, and grief — emotions that, when held in the body over time, can create physical tension and energetic blockage. In chakra work, 396 Hz is linked to the root chakra (Muladhara), the energy centre governing safety, stability, and survival.

Listening to 396 Hz is often described as grounding and releasing. It helps dissolve the subconscious fears and worries that accumulate beneath awareness, creating space for a more secure and confident relationship with life.