diff --git a/gateway/platforms/telegram.py b/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
index af447d565..8b4e43514 100644
--- a/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
+++ b/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
@@ -2802,5 +2802,5 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             await self._set_reaction(
                 chat_id,
                 message_id,
-                "\u2705" if outcome == ProcessingOutcome.SUCCESS else "\u274c",
+                "\U0001f44d" if outcome == ProcessingOutcome.SUCCESS else "\U0001f44e",
             )
diff --git a/tests/gateway/test_telegram_reactions.py b/tests/gateway/test_telegram_reactions.py
index 98a75afbe..143161e9b 100644
--- a/tests/gateway/test_telegram_reactions.py
+++ b/tests/gateway/test_telegram_reactions.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ async def test_on_processing_start_handles_missing_ids(monkeypatch):
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_on_processing_complete_success(monkeypatch):
-    """Successful processing should set check mark reaction."""
+    """Successful processing should set thumbs-up reaction."""
     monkeypatch.setenv("TELEGRAM_REACTIONS", "true")
     adapter = _make_adapter()
     event = _make_event()
@@ -185,13 +185,13 @@ async def test_on_processing_complete_success(monkeypatch):
     adapter._bot.set_message_reaction.assert_awaited_once_with(
         chat_id=123,
         message_id=456,
-        reaction="\u2705",
+        reaction="\U0001f44d",
     )
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_on_processing_complete_failure(monkeypatch):
-    """Failed processing should set cross mark reaction."""
+    """Failed processing should set thumbs-down reaction."""
     monkeypatch.setenv("TELEGRAM_REACTIONS", "true")
     adapter = _make_adapter()
     event = _make_event()
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ async def test_on_processing_complete_failure(monkeypatch):
     adapter._bot.set_message_reaction.assert_awaited_once_with(
         chat_id=123,
         message_id=456,
-        reaction="\u274c",
+        reaction="\U0001f44e",
     )