from http://www.maran.com/dictionary/d/dingbat/.
Special characters like stars, hands, arrows, and geometric shapes you can use to decorate a document. A collection of dingbats is found in a popular font called Wingdings.
A Google search would tell you more that you might want to know. :)

BTW, I don't like them in node titles either.
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In reply to Re: Re: Dingbats in node titles? by gmax
in thread Dingbats in node titles? by vroom

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