In an era when popularity and success are defined by page views and numbers, it sounds unbelievable that someone in his late nineties is still followed by countless people here and overseas. What makes it even more amazing is that his work has been credited with official recognition both in Hong Kong and on the mainland. We are not saying the leading feng shui master Choi Park-lai – who passed away in the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital last Thursday, aged 96 – has as sweeping an online presence as many internet celebrities. But the Chinese almanac he published has been religiously followed by generations of believers, so much so that it has been recognised as intangible cultural heritage by the Guangdong authorities.

Few Hongkongers have had as much influence in people’s daily life as Choi. Be it choosing an auspicious date for a wedding, signing contracts or starting a business inauguration, or avoiding running into bad luck when travelling, undergoing surgery or moving house, his almanac provides a good reference. He was also the favourite feng shui consultant of the rich and famous and had advised on the designs and opening dates of key landmarks.

To Choi, the almanac is more than just a reference for those seeking good luck. It is a collection of wisdom based on thousands of years of astronomical observations and experience to provide guidance to all walks of life. Whether geomancy is trustworthy is, of course, still open to debate. There are those who dismiss it as just superstition. But it remains an intrinsic part of Chinese culture that is widely practised and observed.