lj code weirdness - is it just me? (don't answer that)

In several lj posts and comments now, I've seen a big bold vertical line like this:

|

And when I check the html, it says ♥

I'm *assuming* it's supposed to be a heart. WTF is wrong with my browser font settings, or ... ? I've checked in three separate browsers now.

eta testing:

&heart;

♥