To provide a selvage forming apparatus meeting need for speed up of a loom.

A selvage forming apparatus 1 forms a leno selvage construction by using a first selvage yarn 16a, 16b and a second selvage yarn 16c. The selvage forming apparatus 1 includes a selvage-yarn-path switching device 2 that moves a path of the first selvage yarn 16a, 16b in a weaving-width direction and a selvage shedding device 3 that moves a path of the second selvage yarn 16c in a top-bottom direction. The selvage-yarn-path switching device 2 includes a selvage-yarn guide member 5 having an eyelet 4 through which the first selvage yarns 16a, 16b are inserted and a drive device 8 that switches a position of the eyelet 4 between two positions that are on the left and right sides of the second selvage yarn 16c. The selvage shedding device 3 includes an engagement portion 9 that engages with the second selvage yarn 16c and moves so as to move the path of the second selvage yarn 16c in the top-bottom direction. The engagement portion 9 moves along a revolution path including a position at which the second selvage yarn 16c is passed on a side closer to the first drive device 8 than the eyelet 4 in the top-bottom direction and a position at which the second selvage yarn 16c is passed on an opposite side of a tip end of the selvage-yarn guide member 5, at a position of the selvage-yarn guide member 5.