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According to Snorri Sturluson, Gylfi (occasionally Englished as Gylfe, Gylvi, or Gylve) was an ancient king of Sweden, from whom the supposedly historic Odin and his people the Aesir obtained new land where they built the settlement of Old Sigtuna. Gylfi was later taught the religion promulgated by the Aesir.
The account can be found in Sturluson's Ynglinga Saga section of his Heimskringla and more fully in the Gylfaginning section of his Edda, where he presents an outline of Norse mythology through a dialogue between Gylfi and three rulers of the Aesir. In Sturluson's account Gylfi is deluded by the Aesir into accepting their supposed religious beliefs, whence the name Gylfaginning 'Deluding of Gylfi'.
It is possible that Snorri's account is based on an old tradition tracing particular beliefs or foundations of particular cults to this legendary Gylfi.
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