IT MAY be year of the Tiger, but yesterday's Chinese New Year celebrations at Sovereign Hill used traditional lion dances to ring it in.

The Chinese New Year has been the focus of Sovereign Hill's 40th anniversary celebrations through February.

Yesterday the Chinese Australian Cultural Society of Ballarat started the first day of the new year with a ceremony at the Sovereign Hill village Joss House.

Offerings to the temple gods were made and suckling pigs roasted.

CACSB members showcased their talents performing ribbon dancing, Tai Chi and a lion dance.

CACSB member Michelle Philips said the ribbon dancers and lion dancers were local Ballarat children who are trained by martial arts advisor Cameron Huynh from Melbourne and trainer Jessica Philips.

"The lion dancing is based on martial arts moves.

"A great deal of strength and dexterity goes into it's Kung Fu moves," Ms Philips said.

For the ribbon dancers, who began training at the end of last year, yesterday was the first time they had performed in public.

Ms Philips said it is a common misconception the lion in lion dancing is a dragon.

"The lion is a very important part of Chinese culture as they are considered the guardians of man and earth," she said.

There will be a dragon involved, with Gum Loong the dragon making an appearance in the Chinese New Year Dragon and Lion Parade along Sovereign Hills Main Street next Saturday at noon.