Myth fulfils in primitive culture an indispencible function: it expresses, enhances, and codifies belief; it safeguards and enforces morality; it vouches for the efficiency of ritual and contains practical rules for the guidance of man. (Malinowski qtd. in Eliade 20)
Myth safeguards and recounts sacred custom. Just as art is essential to challenge sacred custom, the custom it challenges must first be fortified by myth. The spiritual function of myth is affirmation.