Draw 2D graphics as images or textures?

I was curious, should I be treating 2D graphics (for a 2D game) as images or textures? I imagine I’ll be wanting to do rotation and some special effects (ie; a lanturn that provides light - a light source - if that’s even possible with 2D stuff). And obviously performance is also a consideration, but not as important as special effects.

Thanks in advance.

I think you want textures.

I’m not sure what you mean by image, though.