The Qin Dynasty, which existed from 221 BCE to 206 BCE, was the first dynasty to unify China. Its most famous ruler, Qin Shi Huang, is credited with constructing the first Great Wall and creating a centralized bureaucracy. The Qin period marked the beginning of imperial China.Qin mythology included legends about the emperor’s quest for immortality and divine favor. Mythical creatures, such as dragons, symbolized imperial power and protection, playing a central role in religious practices.