A positive locking hanging system is specifically adapted for locking a panel to a wall. The system includes a first elongated mounting member that is configured to be mountable to a wall, and a second elongated mounting member configured to be attachable to a panel. When the first elongated mounting member and the second elongated mounting member are engaged, notches in the first and second elongated mounting members are aligned to form a locking channel. A user may lock the second elongated mounting member to the first elongated mounting member (i.e., lock the panel to the wall) by inserting a locking element into the locking channel. The locking element constrains the movement of the elongated mounting members which results in the panel being locked to the wall. As a result, this may address seismic concerns such as an earthquake, and may prevent a thief from merely removing the panel from the wall when the locking element is inserted.