Fata Morgana - where do I know this name from?

[wasteofo2]

I'm reading a book in which someone uses the phrase Fata Morgana to describe what might be "the cruel deception of a mirage".

The second I read this phrase, I was struck with an incredibly heavy feeling of reminiscance, as if Fata Morgana were a significant figure from my past.

Upon further examination, I realized Fata Morgana must've been a character from another book or movie or tv show or videogame or something.

Does anyone recognize Fata Morgana as being a character from anything at all? I'm thinking perhaps she was some vampire-chick from a 90's arcade game simmilar to street fighter (perhaps even an update of street fighter), but perhaps it was something else. Maybe a character from Cowboy Bebop - or maybe the simmilarity to Faye is just what I'm thinking of...

SOME HAS TO HELP ME, I'M GOING INSANE(R)!

Thanks,
Jacob

[Moonbear]

We can't have you going insaner than you already are! :biggrin:

Does this help?
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0024752.html

The name sounds incredibly familiar to me too, though that explanation doesn't quite ring a bell. I'm digging further.

Edit: Aha! Perhaps this is why it's familiar - Moby Dick.
http://melville.thefreelibrary.com/Moby-Dick-LXVIII-CXXXIV/1-67#fata+morgana
In the last paragraph on this page, you'll see reference to the Fata Morgana.

[wasteofo2]

It's definately NOT from the traditional roots of the word that I know her, it's almost definately from some use of the name for a character in relatively modern media...

It's not the name of a member of this forum, is it?

[Bartholomew]

Somebody's gonna tell you...

[juvenal]

There's also a progressive house producer by the name of Fata Morgana, if you listen to that sort of music.

[wasteofo2]

Nope, not a fan of house music...

[polyb]

WhenI was a kid there was a stripper named 'Morgana' that came through town every now and then that boasted a 60 inch chest! :tongue2:

Maybe she visited your area too! :rofl:

[Evo]

Could it be Morgana from "King Arthur" that rings a bell?

Also known as "Morgan Le Fay"

[mattmns]

how about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fata_Morgana ???

[Evo]

how about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fata_Morgana ???I thought people had already searched "Fata Morgana" and found nothing???

So, I was right!!! HARRRR!!!! :biggrin:

Sometimes being a history geek has its uses.

[wasteofo2]

In my search to find out where I knew it from, I encountered the origins of Fata Morgana as a character in the King Arthur stories, and that's definately not where I know her from. I'm almost positive it was a character from something relatively recent...

[mattmns]

^ did you look at the "influences" in that wikipedia link?

[Evo]

In my search to find out where I knew it from, I encountered the origins of Fata Morgana as a character in the King Arthur stories, and that's definately not where I know her from. I'm almost positive it was a character from something relatively recent...It is very possible that Morgana or Morgan was referenced in something contemporary you came across in the not too distant past. She is a an evil character after all.

[wasteofo2]

I looked at the influences and such things in the wikipedia article - no luck.

It's entirely possible she was referenced or that name was used for a character BECAUSE of the roots it has in the King Arthur story, infact I'm entirely confident that's the reason for it, but I'm also positive it was a character really relating nothing to King Arthur.

[Evo]

I looked at the influences and such things in the wikipedia article - no luck.

It's entirely possible she was referenced or that name was used for a character BECAUSE of the roots it has in the King Arthur story, infact I'm entirely confident that's the reason for it, but I'm also positive it was a character really relating nothing to King Arthur.Do you play computer games? There are a number of references to Morgan Le fay in games. I am on my work computer so I can't go to these sites.

Search on "Morgan Le Fay" computer games. Other similar searches might find what you are looking for.

[Evo]

Wait, Moonbear's first post had the Fata Morgana answer, sorry Moonbear.

[Moonbear]

Wait, Moonbear's first post had the Fata Morgana answer, sorry Moonbear.

That's okay, since I only posted links and not much explanation.

I just came across a hotel in the Dominican Republic named Fata Morgana. Makes you want to think twice before booking there, doesn't it? :rofl:

Then there's this: http://www.fatamorgana.be/tv1_master/subsite/fatamorgana/HomeFrame/
:rofl: Maybe one of our Belgian members can explain it?

[loseyourname]

Werner Herzog in 1971 made a documentary film entitiled Fata Morgana about the Sahara desert. I doubt that's what you have in mind. There's also a progressive rock artist, Morgana LaFey, who released an album entitled Fata Morgana in 1999. I also found a forum for video game developers, in which there is this thread (http://www.gamedev.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=1827). Apparently someone out there at least plans to create a video game called Fata Morgana. There's also www.fatamorgana.it, an Italian website under construction that looks as if it might be devoted to some sort of video game. There was a book written by William Kotzwinkle in 1997 called The Fata Morgana, set in Paris in 1861 (ring a bell?). In 2001, Nexon Media released the video game Shattered Galaxy (www.sgalaxy.com) in which a device called the Fata Morgana teleports characters to the planet Morgana Prime.

That's about all I could find.

[Mk]

I had this same problem about 2 years ago was it? Then I remembered it was a fancy name for optical phenomonons caused by weather or strange heat patterns.

[loseyourname]

None of what I posted was what you were looking for, Waste? Damn . . .