What were posies and why did people carry them?

Posies were small bouquets of flowers often carried as a form of personal adornment or given as gifts during the medieval and Renaissance periods. They were believed to have various meanings, such as conveying sentiments of love, friendship, or sympathy. Additionally, posies were thought to ward off unpleasant odors and diseases, as flowers were associated with purity and freshness. People carried them for both aesthetic reasons and as a way to express emotions or social status.